Communication in the Workplace: Why It Is So Important and How To Encourage It

Any business owner will have heard that workplace communication is absolutely essential for a successful brand that turns over profits. But many are unsure why. This isn’t surprising. We have been raised in a society that prioritizes the individual, rewarding individual achievements and encouraging people to look out for themselves, amassing their own wealth and ensuring that they have the highest quality of life possible, even if this is at the expense of others. In short, effective communication between employees ensures that operations run smoothly and your workers feel comfortable with the people who accompany them in their work environment (this improves morale and commitment to your company). It also fosters creativity, as different parties can begin to collaborate, merging their ideas to improve products or service. So, what areas should you focus on and how do you encourage positive communication between one employee and another. Read on to find out.

Ice Breaking

Ice breaking is the first step towards encouraging your employees to engage with one another. Many people feel awkward when interacting with people they are unfamiliar with and are unsure how to address the problem. As an employer, it becomes your responsibility to help break the ice between your employees. There are various ways to do this, but the most effective options tend to be enforced activities (if you offer employees the choice to opt out, chances are that they will). Take half an hour out of a day each month to break the ice between your current staff and any new workers who may have joined the workforce. Activities can vary from a simple conversation (encouraging your workers to pair up and have a general conversation about themselves, their interests and their aims) to games.

Group Problem Solving

Your staff need to be able to work with one another to overcome problems that may face them on a relatively regular basis. The marketplace is constantly posing issues and your employees need to be able to collaborate with one another to overcome them. Work with an agency such as Team Building to organize team building activities and games that will subtly teach your workers to work with one another to solve problems and offer effective solutions to difficult tasks. Activities can be indoor or you can be a little more adventurous and take things outdoors. Placing your team in an unfamiliar environment further encourages them to bond and stick together.

Time Management

Naturally, some members of your staff base will have better time management than others. By pairing up the time savvy with those who have bad timekeeping, you create the opportunity for the former individuals to inspire and influence the latter. Send your workers on a treasure hunt, endowing them with maps and set certain tasks along the way. Set a time limit and request that they return with the “treasure” by a certain time. This will encourage them to work against the clock, prioritizing certain prominent activities and ensuring that everything is completed in good time.

Each of these activities will encourage positive communication between your employees, enhancing and promoting certain skill sets that will prove beneficial back in the office or on the shop floor.

Hey there! I'm Abby - a coffee addicted life coach /educator/blogger/mama with a creative soul + passionate heart. My goal is to inspire and encourage passionate women to live a life fulfilled through self-care, a healthy lifestyle, mindfulness, and personal development. Read More…